The British brand Gola is now under Japanese ownership. The UK-based sports footwear and apparel label, along with its parent company, Jacobson Group, has been acquired by Japanese conglomerate Marubeni, recognized as one of the country's commercial giants. The holding company will thus expand its portfolio with the British group's brands, which include Lotus, Ravel, Frank Wright, and, of course, Gola. The amount of the transaction has not been disclosed.
According to the agreement, anticipated by Reuters, Jacobson will join the Marubeni-owned platform with its own brand portfolio and licenses for the Dunlop and Lonsdale labels. This transaction will enable founder and executive chairman Harvey Jacobson to retire.
A century-old legacy and a diversification strategy
As reported by Modaes, Gola helped boost the British group's turnover to €42 million in 2024. Founded in 1905 in the United Kingdom as a sporting goods company, initially focused on footwear, Gola became one of the most popular sports brands in its domestic market between the 1960s and 1970s, thanks in particular to the success of its "Harrier" sneakers.
The brand was acquired in 1996 by the Jacobson Group, founded in 1982 by Harvey Jacobson. The conglomerate drove the international expansion of the sportswear brand and the diversification of its offering, which now ranges from accessories to sportswear.
Sustained growth and outlook for 2025
In 2024, the Jacobson Group recorded revenue of £36.4 million (€42 million), driven by Gola sales in Europe and the United States, according to a company report. The company forecasts revenue growth of up to 40% in 2025.